Bentley plans to be a ‘global leader in sustainable luxury mobility’ by only selling fully electric, eco-friendly, zero emission new cars from 2030, the manufacturer revealed. Bentley will not therefore produce any vehicles – not even one – powered purely by traditional internal combustion. It will not manufacturer hybrids either. Its whole range will be ‘full electric’, it emphasised.
Bentley is likely moving towards a fully electric future for several reasons. For example, it takes time, effort, and money to develop vehicles with internal combustion engines, vehicles with electric motors, and hybrid vehicles that have both. Bentley can therefore save resources by narrowing its field of expertise. ‘We have not got the capacity’ to do everything, an insider hinted.
Furthermore, the motor industry faces increasing pressure from the government, lobbyist, and motorists to produce zero emission, eco-friendly, electric cars rather than petrol and diesel vehicles which produce harmful carbon emissions. Carbon emissions can cause a wide range of health problems.
Whatever its reasons, the manufacturer has a lot of work ahead to create its fully electric range for 2030. As of now, for example, it has no electric cars whatsoever. In contrast, it is the world’s largest manufacturer of 12 cylinder petrol engines. Bentley therefore plans to take milestone steps towards its goal.
Initially, it plans to launch a couple of plug-in hybrid vehicles in 2021 (Flying Spur and Bentayga). In addition, by 2023, ‘every model line-up will be offered with the option of a hybrid variant’, the manufacturer revealed. Bentley also expects to launch its first fully electric vehicle in 2025. Later, in 2026, every car will be hybrid or fully electric. Finally, only fully electric cars will remain in 2030.
Wider environmental responsibility
Bentley’s commitment to the environment goes far beyond its forthcoming range of fully electric vehicles. Consider its production facility in Crewe, for example. In 2019, it became the first luxury automotive factory in the United Kingdom to be certified ‘carbon neutral’ by the Carbon Trust. Initiatives include:
water recycling facility in the paint shop
planting trees that absorb carbon dioxide
installing 30,000 solar panels (renewable energy).
Bentley summarises its vision
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Adrian Hallmark, summarised the company’s vision: ‘Since 1919, Bentley has defined luxury grand touring. Being at the forefront of progress is in our DNA. The original Bentley boys were pioneers. Now, we will continue to lead by reinventing the company and becoming the world’s benchmark luxury car business’, Mr Hallmark emphasised.